Wrestling giant WWE confirms the ring comeback of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: He will take part in a star-studded tag team match at WrestleMania 40
It’s been clear for several weeks, but now it’s highly official: Megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be back in the WWE ring on April 6!
On the latest edition of the TV show Friday Night SmackDown, Johnson’s comeback match on the first evening of the annual highlight WrestleMania 40 was confirmed: The 51-year-old teams up with his “blood brother” Roman Reigns at the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFL stadium to face the latter’s rival Cody Rhodes and World Champion Seth Rolins.
Rhodes challenges Reigns, who has reigned as Undisputed Universal Champion for over three and a half years, for his title on the second day of WrestleMania.
WWE had originally set up a title match between Rock and Reigns for WrestleMania, but the showdown empire changed its plans after a fan rebellion: numerous league supporters had loudly demanded that Rhodes should get his shot instead and complete his long-term feud with Reigns.
WWE: The Rock wants to do it again after 11 years
At the official WrestleMania press conference a few weeks ago, WWE hinted at the current scenario instead: Royal Rumble winner Rhodes blew up the announcement of the Reigns-Rock match and cashed in his right to a WrestleMania title match after all. The disgruntled Rock got into it with Rhodes – and also Rollins, who had provoked him by saying WWE didn’t need his comeback anymore.
The Rock reverted to his old role as evil heel in the wake of events, joining Reigns’ Bloodline faction and vowing to prevent Rhodes’ title win. Last week, Reigns and he challenged Rhodes and Rollins, who accepted the challenge.
For Johnson – part of the management team of WWE parent company TKO since the start of the year – it will be his first “real” WWE match since his second WrestleMania clash with John Cena in 2013 (not counting a promotion-winning mini-match against Erick Rowan in 2016). There is also speculation that he will make up for the big singles match on another occasion this year.
